The Robert Carr Diary
(From research by Richard Palmer of Syracuse, N. Y.)
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Major Robert Carr (Background) The following is from The Historical Magazine, Vol. 1, Second Series, 1867, Published at Morrisania, N.Y. by Henry B. Dawson. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. pp 56-57 The regular monthly meeting of this Society was held on Monday evening, the tenth of December, 1866, at the Society's hall, in the Athenaeum Building. A large number of members and others were in attendance, and William Bertram Snyder, Esq., read a paper on The Life of the late Colonel Robert Carr, who, some time previous to his death, concluded that the Historical Society was the proper depository for manuscripts and other matter relating to the War of 1812. In accordance with his wishes, his various commissions, and also his valuable and interesting manuscript journal of the war of 1812, were presented to the Society. The commissions are four in number, viz.: One as Captain in the Eighty-fourth Militia, from Governor McKean, of Pennsylvania, dated the first of May, 1803; one as Major of the same regiment, from the same, dated the third of August, 1807; and two from President Madison�� one as Major of the Sixteenth Regiment U. S. Infantry, dated the third of July, 1812, and one as Lieutenant-colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment U. S. Infantry, dated the twentieth of April, 1815. We give a brief synopsis of Mr. Snyder's address: "Colonel Robert Carr, at the time of his death, was the most aged member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1778, and came to Philadelphia with his parents in 1784. His father was a merchant, and died a few years after his settlement in the New World. In his early youth, Robert Carr made the acquaintance of Doctor Franklin, and was apprenticed to the printing business in 1792, in the office of Benjamin F. Bache, a grandson of Doctor Franklin. He was quick of apprehension, and attained to such proficiency in the art of printing, that he was appointed foreman of the office before his term of apprenticeship had expired. In this office was printed the Aurora, a prominent newspaper of the day. "In 1801, at the age of twenty-three, he commenced business on his own account; and in 1804, received from the American Association of Booksellers, assembled in New York, "the first gold "medal for general excellence in printing" which had been offered by their Society. This compliment was occasioned by an edition of the Bible in four volumes, octavo. He also printed an edition of Rees' Encyclopaedia, and one of Moore's Poems. As a printer, he was acknowledged to be a complete master of his profession; he was enterprising, and always on the alert to introduce improvements; he was among the first to use rollers instead of the old balls, and was the very first to use Johnson's printing ink, and to certify to its superiority. The discipline of the printing-office was manifest in his after life, in his habits of order, accuracy and punctuality. "He was a frequent contributor to the press, and his articles bore the impress of his intelligent and well-informed mind, and were remarkable for the accuracy of their composition. During his entire life, his manuscript, which was in the Italian style, was remarkable for its beauty and legibility. "From an early period, he took an active interest in military matters, and served as a Major of the Eighty-fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia; he was also a member of the celebrated "Macpherson's Blues". "Upon the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, Robert (P. 58) Carr rendered his services to the Secretary of War, and was appointed as a Major of the regular service, and assigned to the Sixteenth Infantry. During the war, he was stationed at various posts on the northern frontier, at Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain, and Sackett's Harbor, Oswego,and other posts on Lake Ontario. "In June, 1813, Major Carr was assigned to the command of the important post of Oswego, a prominent depot of military stores on Lake Ontario. Four days after assuming command of this post, it was attacked by the British fleet cruising on the lake, but they were signally repulsed by the greatly inferior number of troops under Major Carr, and for his gallant and stubborn defense of Oswego he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-colonel, and assigned to the Fifteenth Infantry. During the war, he kept a diary, which contains much interesting matter relating to the campaigns on the Northern frontier. "Upon the re-organization of the regular army under the general order of May 17, 1815, he retired from the military service of the United States. In 1820 he was elected to the Legislature of Pennsylvania,and in 1822 was appointed Adjutant General of the State. During his term of office he prepared a "Manual for the Instruction of Riflemen and Light Infantry.'"' In March, 1809, Colonel Carr was married to Ann, the second daughter of John Bartram, and granddaughter of the founder of the first botanic garden in America. "In 1815, after the close of the war, Colonel Carr took up his residence at the Bartram Botanic Garden, on the Schuylkill, below Philadelphia, the property having come into the possession of Mrs. Carr, at the death of her father, during the war. This place had been established in 1728 by John Bartram, who was the first American to conceive and execute the design of a botanic garden for the reception and cultivation of native and exotic plants. He stocked this plantation of three hundred acres with a great variety of specimens of the vegetable kingdom, collected during his various journeys, from Canada to the Southern Colonies and the Mississippi river, in which he was accompanied by his son, "William Bartram, who afterwards became known as the traveler, naturalist and author. "The venerable mansion on the hill, in the midst of the garden, was built by John Bartram in 1731, and is still preserved in its primitive style by Mr. Eastwick, who purchased the estate in 1850. On the northern limit of the property is located the well-known Eastwick Skating Park. This delightful Arcadian retreat was the favorite resort of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and the early members of the Philosophical Society. "Colonel Carr numbered among his guests,. Wilson, the ornithologist; Nuttall, the botanist: Raffinesque, the voluminous writer on medical botany, and others well known in the scientific world. "It is believed that the Bartram garden contains the largest variety of native trees found in any one collection in America. Downing considered this the most interesting garden in America to every lover of trees. Mr. Meehan, in his Hand-book of Ornamental Trees, has accurately described the leading specimens of native trees in this collection. In his vocation as horticulturist, Colonel Carr displays the same degree of intelligence and spirit of enterprise that "characterized him in other walks of life. He originated a system of international exchange of vegetable products, the idea of which has been extensively carried out by the agricultural bureau of the Patent Office. "In 1822, he succeeded in raising cotton in the open air. He cultivated rice, the opium poppy, the castor-oil plant and madder, tobacco end the pea plant. He had the largest variety of cainelias and dahlias in any one collection, and devoted particular attention to magnolias, roses and fruit trees. He planted a vineyard and received a premium from the Philadelphia Agricultural Society for the best American wine. He was one of the earliest members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and for a number of years was one of its vice-presidents. He was among those who organized the association of Defenders of the Country in the war of 1812, and at their regular meetings ho was almost invariably called upon to read Washington's Farewell Address and the Declaration of Independence, which he did up to the month preceding his death, without the aid of glasses. "One of the most interesting events toward the close of his life, was his visit to New York, in May, 1863, as one of the delegates from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to the celebration of the ''two hundredth anniversary (if the "birth of William Bradford, who introduced the "art of printing into the middle colonies of North "America." During a period of thirty-eight years he held the office of justice of the peace for the townships of Kingsessing and Blockley. Colonel Carr was of medium stature; his temperament was the vital-motive, and his physical health remarkable throughout his entire life, and 'was confined to his bed but a few days previous to his death. He was quick in perception and possessed a remarkably retentive memory. There was a deep vein of humor in his composition; he was keenly alive to criticism extremely independent in spirit, and generous (sic) a fault; his integrity was undoubted, and no man could deny his word. His death occurred on March 15, 1866, in his 89th year, and with him departed the last surviving field-officer from Pennsylvania of the regular army of 1812-1815. "Colonel Carr was a member of the following societies: Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, New York Horticultural Society, Philadelphia Typographical, Academy of Natural Sciences of Bucks County, Massachusetts Horticultural, Pennsylvania Horticultural, Columbia Horticultural of Washington, American Institute of New York, Society of Soldiers of the War of 1812, Historical Society of Pennsylvania."
Portion of Journal (at Pennsylvania Historical Society) "May 12, 1813 - Agreeably to my orders and instructions from Brigadier General Bloomfield I embarked two companies of the 22d regt under Capts. Pentland & Bowker at the Barracks for Trenton in three sloops - and afterwards proceeded by land to Bristol where I lodged that night - next morning to Trenton and remained during the day and night.but the wind increased so much that when we reached 7 mile point we were obliged to land on the beach and get the boat up. I left the men to come up as soon as the weather moderated and walked to Oswego along the beach which at the time was very fatiguing in consequence of the waves dashing up to the beaches. I arrived at 11 o'clock. The men got in same night. and at three o'clock landed at Sackett's Harbor without accident." "14th - This morning at day light the troops arrived near Trenton and disembarked - wagons had been procured and at 9 o'clock we marched through the town. Shortly after it began to rain and we halted at Lt. Col. Brearley's for three hours - in the afternoon we resumed the march and arrived in Princeton before sunset where we remained for the night in a large barn. Wrote to home.
"15th - After breakfast (as the morning was rainy) we took up our march and arrived at New Brunswick before dark - we immediately embarked on board 2 vessels. "New Brunswick, May 16th - This morning took on our provisions, and about 11 o'clock dropped down Raritan river - our pilots not knowing the channel frequently ran aground ad we did not arrive at New York until the next morning.
"May 17th - Shifted our baggage, in the stream, then board other packets and at two o'clock P.M. from New York for Albany. Wrote to General Bloomfield and to my family. At New York I took on board a fine black horse which I had brought from Philadelphia.
"May 18th - 22d - Light winds and continually ahead - our passage was tedious and a strong ebb was occasioned by heavy rains detained us until Saturday, the 22d - excepting one tide lost through the carelessness of the boatman in oversleeping. Captain Barker got up on Saturday afternoon - encamped on the hill west of Albany - Captain Pentland arrived on Sunday morning the 23rd and proceeded to same ground.
"Albany, May 24th, 1813 - This day we remained encamped near this city and drew 4 days rations to last us as far as Little Falls and on Tuesday morning ...
"May 25th, 1813 - At 11 o'clock we struck our tents and took up the line of march on one of the most pleasant turnpike roads I ever beheld - and at sunset arrived at Schenectady, a fine, busy town on the Mohawk river, 15 miles from Albany - we crossed the bridge which is uncommonly long & on piles - and lodged in a big barn half a mile from town.
"26th - This day we marched through frequent showers of rain and on muddy roads as far as Amsterdam where we lodged, having marched 16 miles. "27th - At reveille proceeded and marched opposite Canajoharie in Palatine & halted for the night at the town near the Ferry - distance this day 22 miles.
"28th - This day by a forced march we reached the Little Falls - on Mohawk river - 26 miles Little Falls, Mohawk river, May 28, 1813. We arrived at this place in the evening very much fatigued - rented the old church for four dollars for the night, & drew two days rations. This is a very thriving village situated at the Falls of the Mohawk. At this place the lock navigation commences connecting the Mohawk and Lake Ontario - the locks.
"From Schenectady to this place we were very close to the river. The town contains about 100 houses, a great many stores and two large and well kept taverns.
"May 29th. At sunrise this morning we crossed the locks and proceeded along them some distance where we crossed and keeping still near the river passed the famous German Flatts in the course of the morning - very rainy & roads muddy & slippery.
"About noon passed Herkimer knee deep in mud and water - part of the day it rained on us & our poor starved horses gave out frequently - and we had to get fresh ones - this night we arrived at Schuyler - within 6 miles of Utica. "May 30th, Sunday. Arrived at Utica this morning and encamped for the first time since leaving Albany - our men being much fatigues and their clothes dirty I proposed halting two days at this place to refresh - but during the afternoon an express arrived stating that the enemy had attacked Sackett's Harbor & had been repulsed but were again expected. I immediately ordered the men to prepare to march the following morning and ordered 4 days rations to be drawn and wagons for transportation of baggage. "31st - This morning we were detained until eleven o'clock for wagons and it rained heavy - but we advanced 16 miles in the afternoon after passing through Whitestown, an elegant village 3 miles from Utica.
"Tuesday June 1st - This day marched 22 miles to Boonville - roads in general tolerably good. "2d - Arrived this evening at Lowville, a thriving little village on the Black river which empties into Lake Ontario at Sackets Harbor - this afternoon we passed through the town of Martinsburgh built on a very high ground and the most elegant little town we had yet passed except Whitestown. There are several very large houses - a Courthouse, college, school house & large public houses. The inhabitants are wealthy and the soil in the neighborhood fertile. "3d. - This day we marched through a thinly inhabited country but rich soil - and halted for the night in Champion - this afternoon passed through the village of Denmark - a small & poor place containing about twenty houses & huts. "4th. These two or three last days the pastures were uncommonly rich and milk is so plenty in many places the inhabitants brought pails full to the soldiers & would not take pay. "June 4th - Arrived in Watertown at 11 o'clock - this place is on the Black River and carries on a considerable lumber trade to the lake; there appeared to be about 60 or 70 homes - a printing office - meeting house & there is a long bridge, on piles, across the river, over which we marched, and as the music was playing, the men keeping the step occasioned such a lateral motion of the bridge as had almost thrown it off the piles - before the music could cease, some of the men were thrown against the railing, and with difficulty could keep their feet - it is probable that if the troops had kept the step half a minute longer the whole body of 200 men would have been precipitated into a gulf 40 or 50 feet deep. It should always be cautioned to troops to keep step in crossing a long bridge or where any motion would be produced. "At one o'clock we marched and arrived in Brownville at six o'clock - where we halted for 1 hour.
"Brownville, June 4th, 1813 - We arrived at this place about six o'clock this afternoon and crossing the bridge, halted. This village is thriving and is at the head of boat navigation of Black river, which above this place is much interrupted with falls. At this town the whole river is dammed across, and gives a grand supply of water to a number of mills. Shortly after we had halted an express arrived from the Harbor proceeding on towards Utica to hasten the march of all troops on the road to the harbor, as they were in hourly expectation of another attack - although we had already marched 20 miles, we immediately took up the line of march and (through roads bad beyond all possible description) we marched 6 miles further and arrived at the Harbor at dusk, having to leave our wagons which broke down. This morning at Watertown I put letters in the Post Office for my family. This day at one o'clock we heard the British salute fired at Kingston - it being their king's birthday. "(Sackett's Harbor) June 5th - We arrived at this place last night very much fatigued, and our arms and accoutrements considerably damaged by the wet weather on our long journey. We immediately set to repair & clean them and encamped near the margin of the lake where the bank is near twenty feet perpendicular height. This night we had an alarm and the whole of the troops were under arms and formed in line of battle in a few minutes. As it was expected the object of the enemy would be to burn the new frigate yet on the stocks here. A detachment of 200 men was ordered to take possession of her and to defend her to the last - this honorable command was assigned to me with my 200 Pennsylvanians - it was discovered to be a false alarm occasioned by the sentinels firing into a passing boat that would not bring too, near the inland. "This town has been lately built on a very safe harbour protected from the waves by a natural knoll extending into the branch of the lake at the mouth of the Black river - the water is deep & secures from all winds. The trade of this place which contains about 30 houses is chiefly lumber to Canada and it has risen rapidly in consequence of the good harbor and the facility of smuggling to Kingston - even at present notwithstanding the existence of war. A trade is clandestinely carried on and a number of of villains are engaged in supplying the enemy with flour, pork & salt - by sending out loaded boats to such places as the English can capture them and the men are sent back to report their being captured and plundered - but they are always richer after their losses. It is to be hoped that hemp will come into more general use in this district. "June 6th to 14th - Employed in drilling and recruiting the troops after their long journey. I observed that the soil is here about 14 or 15 inches deep on a bed of limestone - the whole of which is composed of shells - as in breaking away a piece of the rock the shells are all plainly discerned as if partly melted into one another. "June 14th - Information having been received that there was large quantity of public property at Oswego without any force to protect it and that the enemy's fleet was out I was directed to march with detachment to that port. "15th - Received orders this morning to proceed with 300 men of the 6th, 13th, 22d and 23d regiments of infantry to Oswego, there to take part for the defense of that place. We embarked on board 12 batteaux at one o'clock and proceeded by rowing with the wind light and on head - at night it increased very much, but I urged the officers and men to continue the voyage lest the enemy should be before us - at 10 o'clock p.m. it blew a gale with rain, thunder & lightning and as some of the boats were but badly managed I put into Great Sandy Creek lest some accident happen - some of the boats missed the entrance and had to stand on all night. At 12 o'clock the storm having abated we all put out and after a most fatiguing passage of 22 hours - with the wind ahead the whole time we arrived at Oswego at 11 o'clock - the boats that had missed the harbour during the night had arrived an hour or two earlier without accident. "(Fort Oswego) June 16th - The old fort at this place being in a ruinous state we commenced repairing the walls in places where breaches had been formed by the cattle travelling in & out and in examining and repair our arms. Rec'd letter this day from Gen. Lewis, Niagara informing of enemy & directing militia to be called. "June 17th - This afternoon we were alarmed by the appearance of two sail (sic) to the westward which afterwards proved to be the Lady of the Lake, one of our vessels, with the schooner Lady Murray, her prize, which she had taken off Presque'ile (Presque Isle) loaded with powder & ammunition for the enemy's army - there were 22 soldiers & a lieutenant on board. They gave us information that the enemy's fleet were up the lake towards Genesee and I ordered alarm guns to be fired & sent information to the units. Wrote this information to Gen. Lewis, Niagara. "June 18th - This day a great number of the militia came in to whom we delivered arms and ammunition; in the course of the day and evening we repaired the five old guns in front of the fort and threw up a redoubt in which we mounted three six pounders & a six pounder at the water's edge - besides the old 12 pounder on the point of the hill. I left this batter and all the guns on the north side in charge of Lieut. Sturgiss and 32 of the regulars, and crossed to the south side of the river & on the hill between the town & lake in the course of the night threw up a redoubt in which we had mounted by sunrise - two long 18 pounders and 2 brass 12's on travelling carriages, that happened to be in the town - at sunrise the enemy's fleet consisting of their six largest vessels came in sight, and standing towards us. I ordered large fires of dog wood and in a short time had upwards of 150 red hot balls. Captain Smith took command of the 12th & Lieut. Woolsey of the 18th. "June 19th - The militia had thronged in the preceding night and this morning, I formed in two battalions under Majors Parkhurst and Adams and stationed them on the right and left of the regulars - flanked by a rifle company on the right and a volunteer company on the left of the whole. It was ordered that the field pieces should form in the centre of the regulars if the enemy effected a landing. "At 11 o'clock the enemy was opposite the town 4 miles distant, standing in. At 15 minutes before 12 we gave him a shot from our 13 pounder & another from the 32 on board the schooner Growler, Lieut. Mix which was moored across the river opposite the town. The enemy's fleet immediately bore up as if to give us their broadsides - on which we commenced a general and spirited fire from all our batteries. After receiving 62 shots from us and returning almost as many, together with a few shells, all of which fell short - they hauled off and put out all their boats which were immediately filled with soldiers and marines - they stood in as if to land, reconnoitering our positions and finally stood up the lake still towing their boat. I advanced my line and took up a new position where we should have a great advantage of ground and removing a worm fence in a few minutes which surrounded a cleared field, we set it close in the edge of the woods and took positions close behind it, leaving the enemy only a clear field to approach us through, in a middle of a swampy situation and exposed to the fire of our whole line which was nearly a semi circle - our right extending to the lake & our left into impenetrable thickets and marsh. Towards evening the enemy was out of sight, and we slept on our arms in the field - prepared to receive them. But they stood 30 miles further up and that night plundered and burnt Great Sodus. "June 20th - This day we threw up another redoubt on the lake shore, 100 yards farther up, in which we got two 24 pounders that were in boats at the town for the new ship Pike. The militia remained this day but informed that they must be discharged in two or three days more. "20th - Wrote to Colonel Macomb particulars of our action and sent duplicate of letter to Gen. Lewis at Niagara. "21st - Wrote to Colonel Macomb informing him that the enemy had burnt Great Sodus & that our militia were going home. "22d - Wrote to General Ellis for reinforcement of militia. Rec'd letter from Col. Macomb informing that he had sent reinforcements & powder. Rec'd letter from General Lewis (who had met the express with my letter of 20th) congratulating me on my success. Major Laval with 90 dragoons arrived this day from the Harbor. "June 24th - The old militia departed yesterday, and on this day several detachments from General Ellis' brigade at Onondaga arrived with a company of volunteer artillery. Most of these men were totally drilled and appeared to advantage on parade. This day I wrote letters to my brother and family and wrote particulars of skirmish to Col. Duane." "25th - Wrote to Col. Macomb respecting militia - detachment of regular infantry not arrived & dragoons returning today to the Harbour."
Fort Oswego, June 25th 1813. I have been honored with your letters of 22d and 23d instant to the latter by Mr. Allen, who has arrived safe. The detachment you mention has not yet arrived. The dragoons returning today induces me to retain about 100 militia who volunteer to remain a few days longer. Some companies are in their march from Onondaga. The militia have behaved very well and returned their arms and ammunition. By tickling their vanity, in praising their patriotism and soldierly conduct they have agreed to ask no pay. I ordered them one day's extra rations and they have departed well pleased promising o return the moment the alarm guns are fired. We had a severe storm yesterday morning which as destroyed several boats - we had been under arms the whole of the preceding night. Major Laval will relate the cause for you. This post shall be preserved or it shall cost the enemy dear. We have thrown up another redoubt and mounted two of the 24 pounders belonging to the frigate.
Fort Oswego, June 26, 1813. The inhabitants of the town have arrested and brought to me a person by the name of John Ballard, who stated that the English burnt his property at Ogdensburgh and that he is travelling to Niagara to see his son who is in the army. He states that he left Ogdensburgh June 4th and he came by the way of Sackett's Harbor - Henry W. Easton knew him at Ogdensburgh - states that B. kept tavern there, and was of bad repute - This Easton is one of the men in the boat with him. George W. Burt saw this man during the cannonade of the place on Saturday morning last, but near his house where he loitered all that day and night in company with some soldiers' wives who have since been detected with property stolen during that time. The officers' baggage and a great quantity of property had been sent up to Mr. Burt's home and neighborhood, and a considerable quantity had been stolen. Mr. Burt lives a mile and a half up the river. Jonathan Simons, who lives ten or twelve miles up the lake towards Sodus, states that this man came to his house to remain during the night; - he did not mention going to Niagara - nor having a son in the army - he stated that he had been burnt out at Ogdensburgh and was looking for a place to establish a tavern - that he had a wife and family to maintain. He was very inquisitive about a quantity of goods then in the woods near that place that had been landed to escape the British fleet - and hired a man to conduct him to that place on pretense of getting a passage with them, although the owners had previously refused him a passage. I have sent him by Lieut. Gilbert, of the 23rd Reg't., who is ordered to Niagara for examination. Fort Oswego, June 28th, 1813 I have the honor to enclose you the morning report of the troops at this station - also the morning report of the militia who have come in consequence of the late alarm. The former militia dispersed without seeking pay - but this swarm I find will expect to be paid by the U.S. You will please, sir, direct me how to act in respect to them - they have a few officers more than is allowable by law, but if I dismiss them their men will not remain under others. There is a very great quantity of provisions and public stores still in the town and more daily arriving from the Falls. We heard cannon fired many times this day - some thought it to be towards the Harbor. We drill incessantly and keep strict guard with picket guards advanced several miles up and down the lake, and are generally under arms before daylight. I think the enemy cannot surprise us, and we will endeavor to make it a dear visit to them should they come. Captain Morgan being anxious to send for his baggage from the Harbour, I have permitted him to send Lieut. Riley who will deliver this. I have sent by him a deserter from the light artillery who gave himself up to me. There are three British prisoners in this neighborhood brought wounded from Fort George - I wish to know whether I shall send them to the Harbour. I have the honor to be &c.
Fort Oswego, June 29, 1813 Since I had the honor of addressing my letter of yesterday to you I have been informed by the officers of the militia that their corn fields will not admit of their remaining here any longer, and that they must be dismissed on Thursday morning. We have 64 on the sick list, but the greater part of them are convalescent, and will be able to do duty in a few days. There are four sail now in sight, but whether friends or foes we are not able to discover - the weather is thick - but we are prepared for the worst. The boat that carries this is now under weigh. I am respectfully, &c.
Fort Oswego, June 29th, 1813 I have directed the Quarter Master not to receive any bread for the troops under my command that is not sufficiently baked, as I find our sick list is rapidly increasing in consequence of such bread having been used. You will please, sir, give your baker proper directions on this subject, as we all can calculate to an ounce what he urgently gains by giving wet dough instead of well baked bread. For commanding at different stations I have had occasion more than once to have the law put in force, and have had the provisions destroyed; and as this may happen in the present case let your baker know the loss will fall on him.
I have also to require, Sir, that you will procure us fresh meat at least twice a week, - we have upwards of 80 sick on this morning's report. You certainly can procure veal or mutton if beef cannot be procured. I shall expect your answer by the Quarter Master this afternoon, as I propose to write to Mr. Anderson and also to the War office, on this subject, in case we cannot get fresh provisions. Respectfully yours, _______
In consequence of the above letter the Contractor sent for cattle and a few days after we were supplied - the bread continued bad until we sent one of our soldiers who was a baker to adjust baking. _______ Oswego, July 1, 1813 - During the delay of the Contractor to furnish fresh meat, and the hospital sick list increasing I gave orders for a calf to be purchase for five dollars and I gave an order on the Assistant Dep. Quarter Master General for payment. 2d - Wrote to Philadelphia to W.C. & Mrs. C. 4th - The officers prepared a slight entertainment for this day, being our Independence anniversary - to which the militia officers and naval officers were invited and after partaking of a good dinner served up in front of the fort we had sufficient wine to drink 20 or 30 toasts & sentiments occasionally relieved with some excellent songs from Capt. Bowker, Lieut. Mix, Lieut. Woolsey and others." _____________________________ Fort Oswego, July 5th, 1813 I have the honor to enclose two copies of the Monthly Return of the troops under my command at this post, in addition to which there are seven dragoons of the 1st Reg't., left sick in the hospital, who are nearly all well enough to be sent on to join their regiment. In Lieut. Goodall's detachment four men are reported belonging to the 3rd Reg't. Artillery. I have directed him to send them to the Harbour. The militia have made out their muster and pay rolls and decamped in the 1st instant. I have an order to the Assistant Deputy Quarter Master General to pay the expense of their transportation. I will not call in others unless the enemy should approach, until I receive further orders. I am informed by a gentleman of the medical department, who left Fort George on Friday last, that the troops were sickly, and much harassed by small parties of Indians. But he could not state any thing respecting the British force or disposition, - though it was generally believed that nearly all the regulars had returned to Kingston.
There is a considerable quantity of public property here, and more daily arriving for the regiments at Niagara. I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obt. Servant, R.C. ____________________ July 8th - I detached Lieut. Ronalds of 13th regiment, with the dragoons and 3d Artillery, left sick in the hospital at this place - with instruction to bring my papers & letters from Sackett's Harbor. The U.S. schooner Growler, Lieut. Mix, sailed this day for the Harbour with the last of the naval stores for the new ship. _________________________ Fort Oswego, July 10th, 1813 I have have taken the liberty of sending to you for examination a person calling himself Atwater Ives. He was here in company with a notorious swindler of the name of Nicholas who has absconded. He states that he owns property in Canada to which he proposes returning - that they were in York a few days after the fleet and army left that place, that they went to Fort George after our troops had the possession and from the Adjutant General obtained a pass which is enclose. He confesses that the words "in a direct route towards Batavia, Utica and Albany" were originally in their pass - at first he stated the pass to be only worn out in his pocket. His companion Nicholas (whom I expect to overtake yet) stated that since they left Fort George they were in a boat loaded with salt belonging to a Mr. Bronson, a secret partner of McNair, the contractor, which the English took from them at 18 Mile Creek and that they ran up into the woods - that they came to Sodus two or three days after the the English plundered and burnt that place. They have been five or six days at this place, and up at the Falls and were preparing to go to Sackett's Harbour. There are great quantities of public stores and clothing at this place. The clothing for the 6th, 15th & 16th regiments infantry and several other corps at Niagara and Sackett's Harbour - has been accumulating here these two weeks, whilst boats are suffered to carry away salt and other private property for individuals. A want of boats is complained of which the contractor is allowed to keep idle the public boats, or employ them in carrying salt and provisions (which is occasionally taken by the enemy and the crew return a few days after) as was the case of Majors Hugunin lately. So many men interested in this trade that it has been difficult to determine who is not, but as they think themselves very secure they may shortly be detected. My orders being solely to protect the public property here I have not ventured to stop any of their boats but I should give too sudden an alarm and fail in making their destination appear. Our sick list increases nine or ten daily, notwithstanding the utmost care of the officers propelling the men to cook their provisions properly and keep themselves and clothes clean. The general complaint is diarrhea with some cases of intermittent fever. I have taken the liberty to enclose a copy of this morning's report. I have the honor to be &c.
_____________________________ July 16th - Received orders, dated July 14th, from General Dearborn to detach 100 men of the 6th, 13 and 22d Infantry to join Lt. Col. Cutting who arrived this day here, on his way to Niagara. I detached 114 officers &c. & privates of the 6th, 13th and 22d Infantry to join Lt. Col. Cutting. Lieut. Simmons, Ronalds & Ferguson. With this detachment I sent the colours of 22d' reg't. and wrote to Cols. Pearce & Brady." ______________________ Oswego, July 23, 1813 Sir, Agreeably to your orders of July 1 of I have detached 114 men of the 6th, 13th and 23 regt's. with a proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers as far as they could be spared from the remaining troops who have embarked this morning under the order of Lt. Col. Cutting.
The remaining troops under my command I believe will prove equal to any in the army for good order and discipline, and would be happy to meet the enemy under your command. A flimsy piece of work built or put together by a William Cooper called a floating battery but no better served than a raft sailed a few days since (16th) and took on board two brass twelve pounders with their carriages by order of General Lewis. When half way to the Harbor, a storm arose and the raft went to pieces while at anchor 1,200 yards from the shore near Great Sandy Creek. Two lives were lost and the guns went to the bottom in 14 feet of water without buoys. Immediately on hearing of this loss I detached Lieut. Thomas Y. Sprogell of the 22nd Regiment with 20 men, chiefly seamen, with ropes &c. to endeavor to recover the pieces and after a persevering search of three days they succeeded in raising and bringing back to this place the two carriages and one of the guns. The other gun they found and fixed buoys to it, but the wind arising they had to leave it. I have sent them again today to try to get it and have every reason to believe they will succeed in getting it from the persevering of this officer. With great respect - _______________________ (Oswego), July 25th - During the whole of this day - and from 11 o'clock yesterday morning, a firing of cannon has been heard very distinctly in the direction of Kingston - the wind has been chiefly to the westward and W.S.W. - light breeze. 26th. - The officer sent on Friday with a party of men to seek the cannon returned this day without being able to discover it as it is covered with sand. 27th. This day I determined to go with the officer and men to make another search for the 12 pounder & wheels & to make sufficient marks on shore to enable persons (sent to search for them) to ascertain the place. We embarked in two boats at two o'clock, and at three a severe gale arose, which being fair for us we stood in and got with the mouth of Great Salmon river - not without considerable risk, however, as the swells ran very high & broke over the boats as we approached the shore. We remained here for the night & some of the men borrowed a sein and caught 50 or 60 excellent fish and amongst them some called pickerel or pike abut two feet & a half long - only one fin on back near the tail and two apertures at each nostril and two small holes in the head - large eyes. July 28th - This morning we rowed 5 miles further, to Little Sandy Creek, where we breakfasted, and then proceeded about two miles farther down the shore to the place where we left the raft went to piece - at this place the sand hills are uncommonly high and there is an opening through them directly opposite the place of the wreck. I found that the articles were sunk in 11 or 12 feet of water, about 280 yards from the shore, thus we know from the articles found & from a barrel of shot to which we now affixed a buoy. The water being somewhat rough it was impossible to make much search and we drove several stakes on shore in a line with the place, as near as could be ascertained. A two o'clock we proceeded towards Catfish Creek 12 miles from Oswego at which place we arrived and encamped for the night on the shore at the mouth of the creek which at this time would not admit our boat without considerable exertion to pull them over the gravel thrown into the mouth of the creek by the late storms. Next morning we got under way but one of the boats had to put back & the other landed & hauled the boat up near 7 Mile Point - the wind lee of the land. (Oswego) July 24th - The detachments under Lt. Col. Cutting of the 25th Reg't sailed yesterday afternoon at 6 o'clock with a fair wind which continued all night and this morning then is a pleasant breeze still easterly. In all probability the troops will arrive at Niagara this night. _____________________________ (Oswego) July 24th 1813 Major General Lewis
The sick list increased so rapidly while in the fort that I removed the troops and encamped on the west side of the river - since which it has decreased from 130 to about 50 (including those sent away convalescent).
The floating battery which left this place a few days since was totally lost in Mexico bay, two soldiers drowned, and the two brass 12 pounders with their carriages sunk in 14 feet of water upwards of 400 fathoms from the shore without buoys. Immediately on hearing the accident I detached Lieut. Thomas Y. Sprogell of the 22nd Reg't. with 20 men chiefly seamen to endeavor to recover the pieces. After three days unremitted assertion he succeeded in recovering and bringing to this place the two carriages and one of the guns. The other gun and the wheels they found and attached buoys to but wind increasing they had to leave them. I sent them again yesterday and have no doubt that they will succeed in getting them should the weather continue calm. As the British plundered Sodus & Genesee lately I have with me fine fellows who could occasionally sweep off their boats and public property from the carrying place and neighborhood of Presque Isle 70 miles from this place without much risk. (Since my last letter a considerable quantity of public stores has been sent to Niagara.) With the greatest respect
July 29th - The boat in which I was, was enabled to get around 9 mile point Orders arrived from General Lewis, at Sackett's Harbor dated 17th inst. to take all my command and all the public water craft to Sackett's Harbor, as soon as the public stores wete removed from Oswego. July 30th. Wrote to Major Lee at Utica & the Post Master at Albany & also to my family & brother. Rec'd letter dated Fort George July 21 from Col. Pearce mentioning several resignations of officers and bad state of the men in Niagara in regard to health & clothing." July 31, 1813. This day issued orders for the whole of the troops at this place to prepare to embark on Monday the 2d August for Sacketts Harbor. Ordered them to be provided with 6 days rations and 40 rounds ammunition per man." August 2 - The boats not being sufficiently repaired to take the whole detachment the embarkation was postponed until tomorrow. 3d - At 10 o'clock this morning we embarked in 13 batteaux - in all 195 privates & non commissioned officers, leaving Lieut. Goodall with 19 sick men at Oswego until further orders - we rowed as far as Great Sandy Creek by 11 o'clock at night (30 miles) and landed until daylight when we proceeded and at 10 o'clock landed east of Stoney Point where we landed two hours for the men to cook - a breeze springing up we put off, up we put off, and at three o'clock landed at Sackett's Harbor without accident. (Excerpt from a letter from Carlos Colton of Milan, Ohio, dated Aug. 20, 1876, to the Oswego Palladium. Published Sept. 2, 1876) "...........Capt. Robert Hugunin was a reputable sailor; during the war, pilot or sailing master, I forget which, with Commodore Chauncey. Afterwards he was master and part owner of lake vessels. He and Matthew McNair bought and raised some of the naval vessels that were sunk at Sackets Harbor after the close of the war. One of these, a brig, he fitted out and sailed himself several seasons, mostly in the stave trade from the head of the lake to Cape Vincent, his craft being too large for the ordinary demands of commerce at that time."
".......... I have now before me an instance of the uncertainty of human testimony, and the difficulties that compilers of history from the lips of "old settlers" must sometimes meet with. It is in a letter written by a much esteemed friend of my early years and onward, who is now of sufficient and sound mind. In reference to my statement that Messrs. McNair & Hugunin, (partners in that transaction only) raised and refitted certain sunken vessels, he says positively 'there were no vessels sunk at Sackets Harbor,' whereas this writer had frequent occasion during three consecutive seasons to pass in and out of the port named, dodging this way and that to avoid collision with the hulks which obstructed navigation inside of Ship House Point. "The time referred to was when Messrs. L. & S. Dennison owned the steamboat Ontario, Capt. William Vaughan, and the Martha Ogden, Captain Danield Reed." |